Take captive

One day in October, I surfed through the movie channels looking for a distraction. Because of Halloween, there were a variety of slice and dice movies I’d skim by. But disturbing images stuck with me. Like a little computer, my mind categorized the gore as disgusting and tucked them away for moments that would come to my consciousness like this morning. Yuck!

It is said that rapists and child molesters have a history of using pornography. They eventually act out the images they let into their consciousness. I also believe that if we spend our time in prayer and scripture study, we act out those influences. There’s an old adage: “You are what you eat.” I think we can take that concept a step further. I believe we are what we let in.

Recently, my friend Jean and I started a small Bible study called “Nooma Nights.” Nooma means spirit or breath of God. We watch a short spiritual video by Rob Bell, pose a few questions and then watch the film again so the images sink in after our discussion. Last week we watched one called “Rhythm.” It was said that God is like a melody. When we act as the Bible instructs, we are in tune with God’s wishes and become part of the music that he has played throughout the ages. Beautiful imagery. Deep and powerful meaning. It stirs desire to please God and be in tune with his desire for our lives.

I was reading Hebrews 3:6 early this morning. This is what it says “We Christians are God’s house – he lives in us!” If God lives in us, what are we letting in with him? Are we opening up ourselves to good thoughts or images contrary to who God is? What we let into our consciousness matters because God lives there. We should be asking ourselves if we are allowing unwelcome guests to reside in God’s dwelling place.

What we let into our minds and hearts matters to God who dwells there. Our faith matters to him because when we act according to his will, we impact others who have God living within them, too. We become part of the song he is singing in our hearts and those around us. Wow! Now doesn’t that make our faith matter?

2 Cor 10:5-6: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”